How Much Does a Laundromat Cost?

Those who do not have the resources to wash and dry their clothes at home will often have to turn to a local coin-operated laundromat . Here, the washing machines and dryers will be able to wash and dry your clothes for a small fee. Most of these machines will be able to take quarters, but there are now machines that are capable of taking debit or credit cards as well.

How much is it?

On average, the price of a laundromat will depend on the washing machine size, the center, and your geographical location. On average,plan on spending around $1.50 to as much as $4 per load.

Depending on the laundromat, most will have two to three different washer and dryer sizes. The larger the load is, the more you are going to have to spend. As for the dryer, it will usually cost around $0.50 to $1.50 per 15 to 30 minutes of drying time.

According to an article on TheSimpleDollar.com, it is claimed that the average laundromat charged $1.50 per washer load and the same for a dryer load.

Most people report needing to do an average of 3 loads of laundry per week, per person. If each load takes $3 to wash and dry, the laundromat will cost around $10 per week.

What is going to be included?

As stated above, laundromat centers will have washing machines with certain load capacities. The machines will charge based on the usage, not the loads. So it does not matter if you put one shirt or fifty shirts in the machine, it is going to charge the same as long as the load fits.

Higher-end units can have machines that already include the laundry detergents in their loads. These will be more expensive, but will save you money on detergent so it usually evens out.

What are the extra costs?

In order to do laundry, you will need other items such as laundry detergent, dryer sheets, fabric softener, etc. In order to get your laundry to and from the laundromat, you will need laundry bags or baskets in which you can carry your clothes. You should also bring hangers with you to the laundromat; this can eliminate the need to spend time ironing when you get home.

If you have to buy the necessary laundry items such as detergent and dryer sheets at the laundromat, some centers will have smaller versions designed for one load. Most of the time, these items will cost $1 to $2 and will be inside of a vending machine.

Some centers will wash the laundry for you if you do not have the time. If they offer this service, they will often charge by the pound. Prices range from $1 to $3 per pound.

The same can be said about dry cleaning. Many local coin laundromats offer dry cleaning services as well. The costs will depend on what garments need to be cleaned.

Tips to know:

If you are thinking about buying a washer and dryer, experts claim that it can take up to two years to recoup the costs. If you plan on staying at your current location for more than two years, it may be wise to invest in a washer and dryer setup rather than going to the laundromat every week. Purchasing your own washer and dryer is also much more convenient so you do not have to spend hours at the laundromat.

To save yourself time and hassle, get everything you need to do your laundry ready before you go tot he laundromat. This includes making sure that the clothing is sorted into loads, having a roll of quarters ready, and having the necessary amount of detergent packed so you do not have to take an entire container with you.

Because all washing machines are different, make sure that you following the instructions that are usually printed on the inside of the lid of the machine.

How can I save money?

Do not forget to bring your own detergents and dryer sheets. The costs in the laundry centers are often three to four times more than what you will pay in a local store. If you are tight on a budget, consider going to a local dollar store to buy a no-name detergent.

It will always cost more to do your laundry at a local laundromat than doing it at home. The only time you should consider these centers is if your current setup is broken or you do not have access to machines while on vacation or out of town.

If you are a frequent customer, many centers offer frequent customer cards. The more you go, the more you can potentially save.